Updated · Central Florida Public Media (previously WMFE) · Jul 7
11th Circuit Blocks Florida's 2022 Stop WOKE Act at Universities in 2-1 Ruling
Updated
Updated · Central Florida Public Media (previously WMFE) · Jul 7
11th Circuit Blocks Florida's 2022 Stop WOKE Act at Universities in 2-1 Ruling
3 articles · Updated · Central Florida Public Media (previously WMFE) · Jul 7
Summary
A 2-1 federal appeals panel left intact a preliminary injunction barring Florida from enforcing its university classroom provisions under the Stop WOKE Act.
Judge Britt Grant wrote that Florida's claim it could control professors' speech was a "breathtaking assertion of power" to ban unpopular ideas, and said hearing disagreeable ideas is not discrimination.
The 2022 law, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, bars professors from endorsing eight concepts tied to critical race theory, including instruction that could cause students guilt or distress over past acts by others of the same race or sex.
Judge Barbara Lagoa dissented, arguing the state may decide what its professors endorse in public classrooms even though the First Amendment protects all viewpoints in the public square.
The suit was brought by university professors with ACLU backing, and the ruling keeps another major part of DeSantis' anti-"woke" agenda blocked after federal courts also struck down the law's workplace-training provisions.
As courts reject state curriculum laws, is a Supreme Court showdown over academic freedom now unavoidable?
If states cannot restrict classroom viewpoints, what oversight do they have for public universities?
How do these curriculum battles affect a university's ability to attract top professors and students?
2026 Eleventh Circuit Ruling Overturns Florida’s "Stop WOKE Act" in Colleges, Reaffirming First Amendment Rights
Overview
On July 7, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit struck down Florida's 'Stop WOKE Act' as it applies to public colleges and universities, restoring academic freedom for professors and students. This decision immediately allowed open discussion of race, gender, and discrimination topics without fear of punishment or funding loss. The court made it clear that Florida cannot limit higher education based on political preferences and emphasized that erasing history or lived experiences violates the Constitution. As a result, restrictions on teaching and discussion were dismantled, marking a major victory for free speech and academic inquiry in Florida.